Austrian Jews in Canada Protest Against ‘inadequacy’ of Compensation

November 1, 1963

TORONTO (Oct. 31)

Austrian Jews now living here protested sharply to the Austrian Government today against the “inadequacy” of the compensation Austria is now offering to former residents of that country who suffered losses under the Nazi regime. The protest resolution was adopted at a meeting of 170 former Austrian Jews living in this city. They said there are about 300 Jews of Austrian origin in Canada.

Speakers at the meeting complained that Austria is offering “hopelessly inadequate” compensation to Nazi victims, “far lower than the amounts paid in similar cases by the West German Government.” Furthermore, they said, Austria is demanding documentary proof of losses which is not available “because the Nazis did not give receipts when they grabbed Jewish property.” The group named a committee to carry the complaint to the Austrian Ambassador in Canada.